In 2021, 6.18 million homes were sold across the United States. Each one represents a major investment, with median home prices hitting $346,900. Along with the normal expenses involved in moving house, some of those new homeowners will have been hit with a humungous headache – termites.
Termite damage can be catastrophic, and putting it right can cost thousands. It’s the worst possible way to start a new chapter of your life, and a termite home inspection is a way to avoid it.
Join us as we explore how termite home inspection services can save you a whole lot of heartache – and money – when buying a new home.
How Termites Cause Damage
There’s a reason termites are called silent destroyers. You can’t hear them, and it’s very hard to see them. But they are can work 24/7 to undermine the very fabric of your home.
In North Carolina, the most common termites are Eastern subterranean termites. Unfortunately, they are also one of the most destructive termites. They chomp their way through the cellulose in wood at an incredible rate.
Weirdly, termites can’t derive any nutritional benefit directly from the wood itself. Instead, bacteria called Enterobacteria in the termite’s guts break it down so they can digest it. A colony of termites will work all day and all night, breaking down any wood they can find in your home.
Where Do Termites Attack?
The lower parts of your home are at the highest risk of termite attack, and should be checked in a termite home inspection. This includes foundations and crawl spaces that are hard for humans to access but easy prey for termites.
Termites love warmth and humidity – just another reason why they thrive in North Carolina! The foundations of our homes can also build up excess moisture, making them even more attractive to termites looking for a home. The longer a colony goes undetected, the more catastrophic the damage it can cause to the fabric of your home.
The Termite Inspection Process
Anyone thinking about buying a home in North Carolina should invest in a termite home inspection. It’s a good idea to do this before committing to purchase a property.
If the termite home inspection service finds a problem, you’re in a better position. You can either negotiate with the seller or run for the hills if the problem is serious.
Visual Inspection
Termite home inspection services will start by carrying out a thorough visual inspection of the interior and exterior of the home. This may take a couple of hours, depending on the size of the property.
The inspector will look for the following signs of termites:
- Mud tubes
- Damage to wood
- Broken wings
- Droppings
Interior Inspection
Anything made out of wood is fair game for termites. Therefore, the inspector will go into every room and look at the:
- Baseboards
- Window frames
- Door frames
- Wooden cabinetry
- Wooden furniture
- Walls
- Floors
Allow the inspector access to all parts of the house. A new infestation may be relatively contained, so it’s vital that no parts are missed.
Termite home inspection services will pay particular attention to potential access points for termites. This includes where the plumbing fixtures enter the foundation slab. Termites could use this as a way into your home.
The inspector will also thoroughly inspect the crawl space, where termites can be hanging out completely out of sight.
Exterior Inspection
Next, the inspector will examine the walls, foundation, and eaves of the house for any signs of termite activity. They’ll look for mud tubes, as well as signs of damage.
Finally, they’ll inspect the area around the house. Termites may begin to nest in the yard and, in time, move into the house. Spotting them early gives termite pest control a chance to eradicate them before they do serious damage.
Termite Home Inspection Report
Finally, termite inspection services will produce a comprehensive report on the home. They’ll identify any wood-destroying organisms they have identified. They’ll also detail where they’re located and what damage they have done.
Normally, a realtor or buyer will schedule a termite inspection prior to closing. But proactive sellers can also go ahead and schedule a termite inspection ahead of marketing the property. This can provide reassurance to potential buyers, preserve the value of your home, and potentially speed up the sale process.
How to Eliminate Termites
If the termite home inspection finds you have a problem, the next step is termite pest control. Using innovative chemical pesticides, qualified technicians can infiltrate and kill the colony. Once the colony has been destroyed, you can then schedule structural repair work.
How to Prevent Termites
If your home does not have termites right now, it’s still important to take precautions. There are three potential treatment options:
- Conventional termiticide: A liquid that is applied to the soil around the property.
- Termi-A-Bond: Termite monitors are set up and periodically checked. Treatment can be provided as needed.
- Sentricon: Bait stations around the perimeter of the home poison termites, who spread the poison to the rest of the colony.
A termite home inspection or pest control company can inspect your home and advise you on the best way to keep termites at bay.
Schedule a Termite Home Inspection
Whether you’re buying or selling your home, you need a termite inspection. They can either give you peace of mind, or help you understand the scale of the problem.
Pest Management Services offers a complete termite control program. We have both conventional termite control plans plus advanced monitoring options. We’ll evaluate your home and advise you on the best way to get rid of an infestation and how to prevent termites from coming back.
Click here to learn more about our effective termite control options.
While these steps/tips will help reduce the likelihood of a termite infestation, there is no guaranteed way to eliminate all risk
